Tanegashima: The southern tropical island
This picturesque island with its gently rolling hills lies in the sea south of mainland Kagoshima Prefecture. The southern part of the island, facing the Pacific to the east and Yakushima to the west, is characterized by a mild climate: the average annual temperature is around 19 °C, and the annual rainfall exceeds 3,000 millimeters. At the same time, the island is known for its challenging natural conditions, with powerful typhoons in summer and biting northwestern winds in winter. The tea leaves, which thrive on resilient tea plants under these conditions, soak up abundant tropical sunlight. As a result, they develop into particularly strong, nutrient-rich leaves of high quality.
Organic Farming
Only fermented fertilizer is used on the tea fields, consisting of substances derived from living organisms that return naturally to the soil cycle. The complete avoidance of chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides creates an environment in which the microorganisms contained in the fertilizer can thrive undisturbed. In this way, the soil develops through its own strength into a loose and nutrient-rich foundation, without any mechanical processing. This creates a fertile earth that continually renews itself, while weeds are carefully removed by hand.
